Saw Doctors return to Philadelphia

Published: Thursday, May 13, 2010

By DENNY DYROFF, Staff Writer

Fans of the Saw Doctors have waited a long time for a new album by the veteran Irish band, and soon their patience will pay off.

The group, which is based in Galway, Ireland, has completed a studio album and will be performing many of the new songs tonight at the TLA.

The band's current lineup features Leo Moran (vocals, guitar), Davy Carton (vocals, guitar), Kevin Duffy (keyboards), Anthony Thistlethwaite (bass guitar, saxphone) and Eímhín Craddock (drums).

"We have a whole new album recorded, so we're delighted," Moran said during a phone interview last week. "We just need to have the album cover finished. Hopefully, it will be out by the end of August.

"We spent most of last year on the album and put a lot of work into it. We did some recording in Wales. We also recorded at Grouse Lodge in County Westmeath (in Ireland). It's this fabulous studio out in the middle of nowhere."

The Saw Doctors have been together since 1986 and have gone through a number of personnel changes. Moran and Carton are the only founding members remaining.

"The last four years, we've had a steady lineup," Moran said. "We want people who saw us before to say, 'This is the best Saw Doctors lineup we've ever seen.' We've played every song from the new album in concert at least once.

"So fans can expect to get a preview of the new album. And we have about 10 older songs that are hard to leave out. With the older songs, things develop all the time. Ever since we got a new drummer, they've tightened up a lot."

What: The Saw Doctors

When: May 13, 9 p.m.

Where: TLA, 334 South St., Philadelphia

Tickets: $22

Information: 215-922-1011 or www.ticketmaster.com